I was in my bed.Thinking about everything that happened yesterday.I felt bad for letting that happen to Hana.On the other hand.I'm happy.For having watched the fireworks with her.And for giving her the ring.—Why…—…didn't I tell her how I felt about her.I sighed.—I'd better go to school.
I arrived at the classroom.I greeted my friends.—Hi guys.—Oh, Kaji, how are you —Saku told me.—You look a bit down —Akashi said.—Thank you for what you did yesterday.—You saved Hana.—That's why I'm very grateful to you —I told them.—You would have done the same, don't worry.—I wasn't paying attention.
My friends hugged me.—Everything is fine now.
During recess we started talking.About weird and silly things.We laughed like we always did.Being with my friends is also very fun.
It was time to leave.—Hana's hugs were warm.
When I see her.I want to hug her again.To feel her hea…
I thought for a moment.
When I hugged her yesterday after that.Her heart……was beating very fast.
Then I remembered Mr. Kiro's words.—She can't overexert herself or get scared.—That would be bad for her heart.
Then…—Damn.
Mr. Kiro called me.—Mr. Kiro!—Kaji —he told me.—I'm at the hospital.
I hung up and ran to the hospital without thinking about anything.I arrived.Mr. Kiro looked like that time.When I saw him in that park for the first time.
—Mr. Kiro.—What happened? —I asked.—Yesterday when Hana entered the house.—Her heart…—…felt pain.—And she fell to the ground —Mr. Kiro explained.
—So you've been here since yesterday?
And then…—It's all my fault.—What? —Mr. Kiro asked.
—Yesterday when we went out.—I went to help a man who dropped his things.—And I told Hana to wait a moment.—I didn't realize what could have happened to her.—Some guys approached her.—But some friends saved her before I could.
—No Kaji, you didn't——IT'S ALL MY FAULT!!
My tears started falling uncontrollably.—I'm the only one to blame.—I'm sorry.—I'm so sorry.
Everything fell silent again.
—None of this is your fault.—You just want to make her happy.—And I thank you for that.
The doctor approached.—I'm sorry sir.—There's nothing more we can do.—Her illness has progressed too much.—The best thing is for you to spend all the time you can with your daughter.
The doctor left after that.And Mr. Kiro also started crying.
He stood up and headed to the room where Hana was.—Kaji, aren't you coming?—I'll wait over there.—Alright.
Mr. Kiro went in.After that, I remembered everything I went through with her.When we played, when we talked about anything.When we ate and when I helped her.When I saw her for the first time.When I spent time with her.
Hana woke up.—Dad?—How are you, daughter.—What's wrong.—I feel tired and my heart.—Everything will be fine, daughter —Mr. Kiro said while hugging her.—Let's go home.
When they were reaching the exit.I greeted Hana.—Kaji?—How are you, Hana.
Hana could no longer stand.She approached me and hugged me.There was nothing I could do.But keep the pain deep inside me.
When we arrived at her house, Mr. Kiro told me.—Kaji.—You can go home now.—But sir…—You've already done your part.—It's time for me to do mine.
He looked at me with a smile.—But if something bad happens.—Please call me.—I will.—Thank you for everything, Kaji.
He closed the door and I returned home.I told my parents what happened.My friends as well.And I was always paying attention to my phone.To see Hana one more time.
The more I waited.The more I worried about Hana.I wanted to call.But I knew I had to wait.
My mother entered my room.—Son, are you okay.
I stayed silent for a second.—Son?—It's all my fault —I said.—If only I…—…had never accepted that job.—She wouldn't be suffering like this.
Then my mother replied.—If you hadn't accepted that job…—…Kiro and his daughter would still be suffering —my mother told me.
—What?—You thought you did something bad.—But instead, you did something good.—You brought happiness and peace to two people.
Then I remembered Mr. Kiro's words.—None of this is your fault.—You just want to make her happy.—And I thank you for that.
After remembering those words.I realized my mom was right.But even so, I still felt some guilt.
I also remembered……the face of Mr. Kiro when I went to his house for the first time.It transmitted peace and joy.
My mother hugged me tightly.—Everything will be alright, son.—But if something bad happens…—…those who care about you will always be by your side.
After that, it was almost night.And I felt more and more worried.
Then I received the call I had been waiting for.—Mr. Kiro, what's wrong?
Mr. Kiro spoke to me in a broken voice.—Kaji…—…can you come?
I headed to the house, very worried and anxious.I knocked on the door.A doctor came out.He lowered his head for a moment and left.
—Kaji.
Mr. Kiro told me.But he had an empty look.And a lifeless smile.All just to receive me.
We walked down the same hallway.Like the first time.But……it felt very different.It no longer had that feeling of warmth.Or maybe it's just me.
We reached Hana's room.—You go in, Kaji —Mr. Kiro told me.
I entered and saw her.She looked very different.Her appearance.Her gaze.And her smile.
—Hello Kaji —Hana greeted me.
I approached her, standing in front of her bed.—Hana, how are you.—Fine —she replied.
—I'll tell you the truth.
When she said that, my heart raced.
—I told my dad to bring you.—I wanted to see you one last time.
Last time?
—What do you mean —I said.—Before that, I want to tell you…—…how I have lived all these years.—But your dad…
Hana interrupted me.—I know.—But I want to tell you what I lived.
Everything fell silent again.And then Hana began to tell me.
Everything about her.
When I was born.My mother died from a hemorrhage.And I was diagnosed with heart problems.
After a week, they told my father he could take me home.But when we arrived.We were not received the way we expected.
—Why did you bring that murderer —my grandmother complained.—Why do you say that.—She's just a baby —my father replied.
Without anyone to support him.My father's parents died when he was a child.And he stayed in an orphanage until he was 18.No one cared.
When he left, he met my mother.And they had me.Without knowing it would bring them problems.
My uncles insulted him.I was 8 years old at that time.I tried to defend him from them.But he told me not to pay attention to them.
My father endured those people.Until he decided to leave that house.
My parents had been saving for a long time.To buy a house.And in the end, my father achieved it.
He bought a house in this city.To be away from those people……whom I don't consider my family.
When we arrived, I was 11 years old.As I grew.My illness grew with me.
Until I turned 14.The doctor said my illness was fading.But in reality.It was advancing little by little.
Until it caught up to me and started ruining my life.
I couldn't go to school or go out to play.I just stayed in my room.Sitting with nothing to do.
My father stopped going to work to take care of me.
Sometimes he took me to a kind and humble woman.She didn't charge him.Because she liked taking care of me.
But that ended when she passed away a year later.
We attended her funeral.—Dad, will that happen to me too? —I asked.—Don't say that, daughter.—I will protect you until the end.—Thank you very much, dad.
And the time returned when my dad couldn't go to work.
—Daughter.—Yes, dad?—I'll go out for about 10 minutes.—I'll look for someone to take care of you.
I stayed silent for a few seconds.—But dad.—I know.—I'll find the most trustworthy and kind person.—And you will tell me if you want him to take care of you or not.
I accepted my dad's proposal.
Minutes passed.My father arrived.My heart raced.But he didn't bring anyone.
—Dad, did you find someone?—Yes, he'll come tomorrow after school.
The school?Will a student take care of me?
The next day I heard him.Another voice besides my dad's.I got very nervous.
When I saw him, that boy looked very tense.My dad said he would take care of me.
When I looked at him, I saw something in him.A very strange kind of warmth.
The only thing I could do was nod.
He introduced himself.And we started spending time together for the first time.
Hana told me everything.I could only think about everything she had gone through.
—I grew fond of you.—You completely earned my trust.—Even though we didn't talk much.—I felt safe by your side.—You gave me the happiness I was missing.
—Everything bad that happens in my family is because of me —Hana said.
I also……thought the same.
But in reality, that's not true.Everything happens for a reason.
Hana's voice suddenly began to fade.—Hana?—Kaji.—I thank you for everything you've done for me.—For my dad.
Hana took my hand.—I love you, Kaji.
After that.She faded on her bed.With a small smile on her face.And her hand fell beside her.
I looked around.And found the photo we took together.
I couldn't hold back my tears.I cried uncontrollably.
I approached what remained of her and hugged her tightly.
Mr. Kiro entered.I looked at him with tears in my eyes.And he also approached.
He saw Hana.And cried with me.
And said.—Goodbye, Hana.—Go with your mother.—I will see you later…—…my treasures.
We stayed with Hana for a while longer.Until finally……we let her go.
…
Two months passed since her death.Mr. Kiro worked without worry.Because he knew the people who loved him were waiting for him.
My friends and my parents accompanied me to visit Hana's grave.
And I went to the same place where I gave her the ring.It was a very beautiful view during the day.
I thought about her.—I wish you could see this with me, Hana.
…
A very strong wind began, and a voice told me.—I will always be with you.
I turned around quickly.But there was only wind and trees moving.
But even so.I felt her by my side.
—I will never forget her.—Because I liked…—…spending time.
Time With you
Fin.
Author: KORUMITO.